Volunteers at the Senior Center make all the difference

"Volunteers have been the core and lifeblood of the Senior Center; without them we would not survive," says long-time volunteer Eric Larson.

The former Ukiah city councilman and mayor came to the center 12 years ago with his wife to be part of an Alzheimer's support group. He remembers it as a tremendous experience helping him take care of his loved one and endearing him to the center. He was invited to join the board.

"I served on the board during a critical time when the center almost went under. In order to alleviate the debt burden, we split the property and sold the back portion. It was a collective effort to keep the place afloat."

Larson is presently the president of the endowment fund board, a separate entity related to the center, that invests donations and uses earnings on profits for projects. Most recently they helped pay for the construction of the storage building and some improvements to Bartlett Hall.

"I serve as emcee for the monthly ice cream socials and various fundraisers and events. It's fun; I enjoy helping the membership;" and he says with a smile, "the folks still laugh at my jokes. But some volunteer a whole lot more time than I do."

George Kennedy puts in 7 hours a day. He runs the weekday, lunch program, open to the public, eliminating the need for a paid staff member to do the job. He makes sure the 20-50 attendees sign up ahead of time, organizes the food from Zach's Catering and the Adventist Hospital kitchen and now keeps the program in the black. They also deliver to housebound seniors.

"I help organize our breakfast that we prepare on the first Saturday of the month; we serve anywhere from 33-118 people.

I volunteer for meals on wheels; it keeps me out of mischief," he says with a twinkle. "I get a great deal of satisfaction being a part of this family."

Long-timer Wilma Howard, "I didn't volunteer sooner because I figured the senior center was for old people; I had to wait until I was 65. At the present, I serve as cashier for the thrift store - with the best prices in Northern California - three mornings a week. On Tuesdays I help George with the lunch program. Just recently two friends of mine volunteered to take over the monthly ice cream socials - best bargain in town with pie or cake and ice cream for $2 - and they saved the program from going under. Budget cuts had required elimination of paid staff hours. Safeway's donation of pies and cakes allows us to provide this affordable, ongoing event.

"I have lived here since I was ten and I know a lot of the people; I enjoy the warmth and love of those who come here."

Larson says, "The whole notion of volunteerism extends beyond us and all the members who formerly volunteered or pitched in when needed. I want to point out the extreme support we get from the caterers, business people, and the staff themselves that goes way beyond the call of duty."

Lavonna Silviera, executive director, praises the volunteers. "All of them have been her over 10 years. George, the second biggest contributor of time, gives over 1790 hours per year; that's over 35 hours a week. He has taken over the dining room and kitchen and without him we would have to hire a paid staff member. Wilma does a variety of tasks; she is dependable, trustworthy and helps manage our events. Eric is super dependable; I only have to ask if he will MC and he says yes. By the way Eric, what about Mother's Day?"

And about their much-appreciated exec, Howard says, "We are so fortunate to have Lavonna; she can do anything: set toilets, plant the garden, paint, anything that needs to be done. She puts on her grubbies and pitches in."

They also have an anonymous volunteer who puts in over 2000 hours a year; he is a jack-of-all-trades, can do anything. The center would not be the same without him.

Silviera concludes, "The center is the only social venue in some people's lives; it is very important. With the volunteers we have been able to keep going; they save us $200,000 a year that we would otherwise have to pay out to staff positions. We have over 150 active volunteers, most of whom are retired and donate their time as a way to contribute to the community in which they have lived most of their lives. We are here today because of the volunteers. The last ten years have been a constant change trying to adapt to closing programs and funding reductions. With the help of volunteers we have added activities and services that we can provide. I am so thankful for them."